Mozilla Firefox is the browser you want. It's completely and totally free, and has built in pop-up and ad-blocking. With a few simple plugins, the ad-blocking is greatly enhanced (stopping even the worst of Flash ads if you install Flash/Shockwave), you can wander through the web with mouse gesturing (forward/back/whatever become mouse movements), and nothing will install behind your back, unlike IE, so visit all the pron sites you want in total safety.

And best of all, you can live happily, knowing that you're not using a browser that hasn't been updated since the stone age.

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"All opinions posted are my own, and not those of my employers, who are appalled."

To be fair, Avant browser gives you all the goodies like mouse gestures and tabs. That's the one to go for if you just want an updated browsing experience.

I use Firefox because of all the extensions that are available. I can tweak and tailor the experience to my needs. Foxyamp, for instance, is an extension that allows me to control my music from within the browser itself, so I never have to take my eyes off, uh, whatever I'm looking at to fumble with Winamp.

I used Firefox at work for about 6 months and loved it. Then they changed our systems and for some reason it won't run Firefox. I started using IE and within 2 weeks I had adware and spyware coming out the ying-yang.

I miss Firefox at work.

I've never had any problem with adware at home as I only use Firefox. The one site it used to screw up formatting on (Gamespot) is perfect now.

I dumped IE yeeeeeeeeeeears ago, and switched to Firefox, which is an absolutely amazing browser with oodles of options. Currently, I'm using Opera, which is equal in power and options as Firefox, but tastes more like a smoked gouda while Firefox has more of a gamey taste to it.

Both browsers make IE look like your surfing the web with a stone tablet and a chisel in your hand.

Opera is the browser you want, I'd argue. Firefox is a great browser as well, but just doesn't quite hold up to Opera IMO. Here is a good tour of its features.

Biggest (and generally only) downside to Opera that people list is that it's 'not free.' First, it is free, but displays a small text ad at the top of the browser. Not a huge deal considering how much it will change your Internet life.

A few reasons why I choose Opera over Firefox:-Integrated features, some of which are unavailable on Firefox, others that have marginal support via extensions-M2 mail reader, whose database-driven simplicity just beats the living hell out of anyone else's mail client, including Thunderbird; M2 also handles RSS, newsgroups, and mailing lists-Full-featured note-taking support, which I use often-Error recovery; if the OS or Opera crashes, I just open it back up right where I left off-Even better security record than Mozilla

In the end, regardless of which browser you choose, you'll be much better off than you are with IE (or would be with one of the IE addons).

I have to vote for both Opera and Firefox. Both have some major advantages.

Unless you don't have a choice, there's no real reason to stick with IE (And as far as I'm concerned, that includes all of the modified versions of IE: Avant, MyIE2, and whatever else there is. ) Firefox and Opera can do everything IE can do, only better.

Unless you don't have a choice, there's no real reason to stick with IE (And as far as I'm concerned, that includes all of the modified versions of IE: Avant, MyIE2, and whatever else there is. ) Firefox and Opera can do everything IE can do, only better.

I've tried 'em all. Used Opera for a year, and it was great, but doesn't do Gmail (bad!) -- Zaxxon points out the M2 Mail Client, but ugh, pop3 mail is dead to me now after Gmail

Switched to Firefox about 2-3 months ago, and it's the best browser I've ever used. With extensions you can customize the browser to your tastes. It can be as lightweight, or as feature rich as you want it, and it's all up to you.

I just reinstalled Firefox again over the weekend. I like it a lot but for some reason I just can't get comfortable using it for most of my browsing needs. Part of the problem for me might be losing a bunch of features when accessing my work email through the web because it's a microsoft exchange server.

Just started using Firefox last week and am liking it fine so far. What is this mouse gesturing you speak of? I don't see any reference to it in the Help file. Is this an extension of some kind? Where do I go to find extensions?

On the surface it's nigh identical to Firefox, but after you use it for awhile and learn its subtlties... any other browser really pales in comparison.

Amen.

Gryndyl: Mouse gestures are a feature first implemented in Opera, and since copied over by the Mozilla team. They allow you to browse without clicking on any icons in the browser. For example, to go Back, I just hold the right button and gesture to the left with the mouse. Sounds like a small thing, but it's hugs once you're used to it.

I've been happy with firefox for the last 2 months. The only problem I have seen is with java plugins on some pages. I always get a 'click here to install the plugin' when it is already installed. Even after clicking, it says you have the plugin install but will not display.

My vote is for Opera. I've used it for years and it only gets better and better.

s

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And when he had failed to find these boons in things whose laws are known and measurable, they told him he lacked imagination, and was immature because he preferred dream-illusions to the illusions of our physical creation

Alright, I DL'd and installed Mozilla, which is what I'm using to type this, and after installing about 15 different extensions I'm still playing with it. Clean interface, and now that I'm tab browsing it's kinda fun.